Moving and distributing sensitive material



May 7, 1957 W. S. REYNOLDS MOVING AND DISTRIBUTING SENSITIVE MATERIAL 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 31, 1952 INVENTORS WA RREN s. REYNOLDS ATTOHNEYS May 7, 1957 w. s. REYNOLDS 2,791,149

MOVING AND DISTRIBUTING SENSITIVE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 31, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Flgz INVENTORS "l /ARflE/V S. REYNOLDS A TTORNEYS y 1957w. s. REYNOLDS 2,791,149

MOVING AND DISTRIBUTING SENSITIVE MATERIAL IN V EN TORS WARREN 5. REYNOL 05 F694 BYW y 1957 w. s. REYNOLDS 2,791,149

MOVING AND DISTRIBUTING SENSITIVE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 31, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 5 swa INVENTORS WARREN s. REYNOL 0s A TTORNE Y5 UnitedStates Patent O MOVING AND DISTRIBUTING SENSITIVE MATERIAL Warren S.Reynolds, Westport, Conn., assignor to Remington Arms Company, Inc.,Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application October 31,1952, Serial No. 317,866

8 Claims. (Cl. 86-32) This invention relates to the handling anddistribution in a dry state of combustible or explosive materials whichare inherently sensitive to friction and percussion and tend to besensitive to static electricity.

More specifically, the invention relates to apparatus for the handlingof bulk quantities of dry ammunition priming compositions, distributionof the bulk material into individual charges, and the transfer of suchindividual and measured charges into primer cups adapted for insertioninto cartridge cases.

Ammunition priming compositions comprise essentially an admixture of anoxidizer, a fuel and a percussionsensitive ingredient with or withoutthe addition of a friction material such as ground glass. They arenecessarily and inherently sensitive to friction and percussion and tendto be sensitive to an electric spark. While it is sometimes feasible toprepare and distribute such materials in a moistened and pastycondition, it is frequently more desirable to prepare and load them dry.While loaded containers of such dry mixtures can be handled withcomparative safety, the distribution of a bulk quantity of dry mixtureinto individual charges and the transfer of such charges into primercups is a hazardous Operation, since friction of the mixture upon itselfor against any hard objects or the passage of an electric spark in anypart of the mixture almost inevitably effects a local ignition whichresults in the rapid combustion of the entire mass.

The present invention contemplates apparatus for receiving a containerof bulk mixture and substantially automatically transferring thecontainer to a delivery point, dumping the contents of the containerupon a charger plate, and returning the container to its initialposition. Thereafter, the material delivered-upon the surface of thecharger plate is distributed into individual charges by brushing it intomeasuring apertures or holes in the charger plate, from which holes itis delivered into primer cups positioned beneath the holes. Thedistribution of the mixture and its transfer into the primer cup, aswell as the movement of the container carrying the mixture in bulk, aresubstantially automatically performed under remote control, eliminatingthe necessity of an operator in the immediate vicinity of any operationin which the mixture is being moved or shifted either upon itself orwith respect to any external object.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 1A together show a longitudinal elevation of the machine,some parts being sectioned or broken away for greater clarity.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of that part of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation substantially onthe line 3-3 of Fig. 2, some parts being omitted, for greater clarity.

Fig. 4 is an elevation at the right end of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional detail of the charger plate andassociated parts.

2,791,149 Patented May 7, 1957 Fig. 6 is a simplified wiring diagram.

The machine of the invention is especially adapted for use adjacent theoutside wall of a building, in which wall there is an openingconstituting a receptacle for a limited number of containers or pouchesof dry priming composi tion as delivered from the mixing operation. Suchpouches are transferred one-at-a-time to a carrier identitied generallyby numeral 10 which is carried by and projects laterally from a conveyorcomprising a pair of chains 11a and 11b. The conveyor chains traverseidler sprockets 12 (Fig. 1A) and driven sprockets 13 (Figs. 1 and 2),which driven sprockets are secured to a shaft 14 having fixed thereon asprocket 15 which is driven from a suitable source of power such as amotor C. As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the carrier proper consistsof an open frame of longitudinally and transversely extending rods, oneend of each transversely extending rod being turned inwardly over thecompartment defined by the rods as shown at 101 (Fig. 1) while the outerand free ends of certain of the longitudinally extending rods are turnedoutwardly, as shown at 102 (Fig. 3), to facilitate the placement in thecarrier of a container or pouch of priming mixture, the pouch 17 andcontents thereof being indicated in section in Fig. l. The inturnedportions 101 of the transversely extending rods hold the pouch 17 in thecarrier when it is inverted, as hereinafter described.

A loaded pouch having been placed in the carrier 10 at position A, Fig.1, the motor C is activated to transport the pouch to a position abovethe charger plate. This is accomplished by manipulation of the manualswitch SC (Fig. 6) which may be located at any desired point. Asillustrated in the circuit diagram, Fig. 6, closing of the switch SCactivates the solenoid S0 to close the switch SW which is in the circuitto the conveyor motor C. Switch SW, comprises an auxiliary contact bywhich the starting switch SC is shortcircuited when switch Sw is closed.The carrier with the pouch therein is transported by the conveyorIla-11b to position B, Fig. 1A, over a charger plate 20. At this pointan arm 21 (Figs. 1, 1A and 4), associated with the carrier mounting,engages the nose of a stationary cam 22, and in its movement to positionC, Fig. 1A, the carrier and pouch are rotated through 99 (Fig. 1A showsthe outline of the pouch only, the carrier 10 being omitted). Uponfurther movement of the carrier, an arm 23 on the carrier mountingengages a second cam nose 24 and, in its additional movement, toposition D, the carrier is completely inverted, dumping its entirecontent upon the charger plate 20. At about this point in the movementof the carrier and conveyor, a cam 25 formed on a link of conveyor chain11a (Figs. 1 and 1A) engages an operator 26 of a reversing switch SR(Figs. 1 and 6) which, by means of the circuits illustrated in Fig. 6,serves to reverse the motor C and restore the conveyor and carrier tothe carrier loading position illustated in Fig. 1. During returnmovement of the carrier, the aforementioned arms 21 and 23 associatedtherewith successively engage fixed cams 28 and 29, cornpleting a 360rotation of the carrier, so that it is returned to position A uprightand ready for re-loading. As the carrier approaches position A, a cam 30on conveyor chain engages and displaces an operator 31 for the limitswitch SL which, as shown in Fig. 6, disables the solenoid So which hasheld the line switch Sw closed, and thus stops the conveyor motor C.

The charger plate 20, upon which the bulk mixture is delivered, asheretofore described, is one element of an assembly, illustrated indetail in Fig. 5, by which the mixture is distributed into primer cupsP. Plate 20 comprises a plurality of measuring apertures 201 into whichice the mixture is brushed, as will be presently described.

Said plate 29 overlies a bottom plate 35 which in turn overlies a cupplate 36 provided with recesses for holding the cups P. Bottom plate 35comprises apertures or passages 351 through which the mixture passesfrom the measuring apertures 201 to the cups P. It will be under stoodthat each aperture 201 is normally out of line with the correspondingaperture 351 and that in a typical assembly the charger plate 20 ismoved to align said apertures, as shown in Fig. 5, and effect deliveryof the measured charge to the primer cup. Pneumatic or other means (notshown) may be provided for effecting the movement of charger plate 20,and a vibrator (not shown) may be applied to said plate to insurecomplete delivery.

The means for automatically distributing the bulk mixture upon thecharger plate into the measuring apertures 201 therein may comprise awiper 37 (Figs. 1A and 4) of rubber, neoprene or other like material.The wiper is so controlled that it traverses the length of the aperturedportion of the charger plate in contact therewith, pushing the bulkpriming mixture ahead of it. Having completed one traverse of theapertured portion of the plate, the wiper is lifted and passes over thepile of mixture, then lowered to again engage the plate, rocking to aposition somewhat inclined to a perpendicular to the plate, thentraverses the plate in the opposite direction, where it is again liftedand passes over the remaining pile of mixture. The positions of thewiper, behind the heap of mixture and ready to begin each traversingmovement, are shown in Fig. 1A. This operation is repeated for apredetermined number of cycles; after which the wiper is stopped toenable the removal of the loaded cup plate and its replacement by anempty cup plate. The devices for this purpose may be constructed asfollows:

The wiper is carried upon a stem 38 received in a socket 39 projectingfrom a boss 40 loosely mounted on a tubular shaft 41 extendinglengthwise of the machine and supported for rotational and translationalmovement in bearing-s 42 in fixed brackets 43. A set screw 44 in socket39 engages a peripheral groove in stem 38, retaining said stem againstlongitudinal displacement while permitting its rocking movement to varythe inclination of the wiper to the charger plate, as above described.An arm 45 secured to shaft 41 is provided with a stud 46 which underliessocket 39 to'etfe'ct the lifting of the wiper upon rotation of shaft 41in the manner tobe presently described. It will be understood that thewiper participates in the translational as well as the rotationalmovement of the shaft 41.

The means for movin shaft 41 in the direction of its length, to effecttranslation of the wiper, comprises a motor W (Figs. 1 "and 6) whichdrives a vertically disposed stub shaft 47 having secured thereto acrank 48 joined at 49 to a'c'o'nn'e'cting rod which is coupled at 52 toshaft 41 by a connection which moves the shaft longitudinally whilepermitting its separate rotation. The wiper 37 thus moves from one endto the other of the charger plate during each half revolution of thecrank 48, and returns to its initial position during the next halfrevolution of the crank 48.

The means for rotating the shaft 41, to lift the wiper near the end ofeach translational movement, comprises a cam plate 53 secured to a gear54 driven by a pinion 55 secured to stub shaft 47. The cam plate carriesa plurality of cams 56 adapted for sequential engagement with camfollower 57 carried by an arm 58 extending from a boss 59 which has aspline connection with shaft 41. The gearing 54-55 is so arranged thatshaft 41 is thus rotated a few degrees as the wiper approaches each endof its charger plate traversing movement, enabling the wiper to passover the pile of priming mixture pushed in front of it and to againshove the mixture in front of it on its return movement. The drawingsillustrate an arrangement in which the wiper performssix'passes over thecharger-plate, but it will be apparent that 'by a rearrangement of thegear connection 5455 and the cams 56 any desired number of passes can besecured, it being understood that gear 54 and cam plate 53 complete onerevolution before being stopped in the manner to be presently described.

The means for stopping the movement of the wiper after it has traversedthe charger plate a desired number of times comprises devices forbreaking the circuit which supplies current to wiper motor W. Movementof the wiper is initiated by momentarily closing the manual switch SW;the circuit, as illustrated in Fig. 6, being such that switch SW isshort circuited by the closing of the switch FW as soon as cam plate 53starts its movement. Switch FW is supported adjacent cam plate 53 and iscontrolled by an operator 60 adapted for engagement with a cam 61mounted on cam plate 53. The circuit diagram, Fig. 6, will show thatwhen cam plate 53 has completed a full revolution switch FW will beopened by the engagement of operator 69 with cam 61 and, the manualswitch SW being open, the line switch SW3 will be opened by thede-energization of its closing solenoid S03. The filling of a chargerplate is thus automatically completed, and any disturbance of thepriming mixture in or upon the charger plate is stopped without any handmanipulation. The charges which have been distributed in the holes 201in the charger plate are dumped into the cups in the cup plate 36, whichplate is then removed and replaced. The Wiper is again started byclosing the manual switch SW and the operation is repeated until thecharge of bulk material upon the charger plate is nearing exhaustion;thereupon, the conveyor is again activated to deliver another pouch ofmixture to the charger plate, as heretofore described.

Means are provided for preventing the activation of the conveyor motor Cwhile the Wiper is in operation and for preventing the activation of thewiper motor W while the conveyor is in operation. This means comprisesthe electrical connections and switches illustrated in Fig. 6. Thecircuit through the conveyor starting motor solenoid S01 comprises aswitch SI actuated by an operator 62 controlled by a cam 63 on the camplate 53, the arrangement being such that switch SI is closed only whenthe cam plate 53 is in its home position and at rest. Thus, the motor Ccannot be activated except when the wiper and associated parts arestationary. To prevent activation of the wiper motor during movement ofthe conveyor, starting circuit for the wiper motor W cornprises theaforementioned switch 'SL which not only interrupts the circuit throughthe conveyor motor but completes the starting circuit for the wipermotor; thus, the wiper can be activated only when the conveyor is atrest in carrier loading position.

The complete assembly thus provides for the automatic and remote controlof all operations incident to delivering bulk priming mixture to acharger plate, dis- 'tributing it in the charge measuring holes in saidplate, and dumping the measured charges into primer cups or othersuitable receptacles in which the static and friction sensitive materialis at rest and relatively innocuous.

What is claimed is:

1. .Apparatus for distributing a pulverulent explosive material intoapertures in a plate comprising a supporting frame; means for holdingsaid plate in said frame; means for delivering said material to theupper surface of said plate; a wiper comprising a single plate-engagingblade adapted to traverse the surface of said plate in reversedirections; means associated widi said frame for supporting said wiperadjacent the surface of said plate; wiper moving means mounted in saidframe; and means activated by said wiper moving means for performing andcompleting a sequence of operations comprising moving said wiper acrosssaid plate in one direction, :bodily lifting said wiper to clear saidplate and the material tion, bodily lifting said wiper to clear saidplate and the material thereon near the end of such reversing movement,re-engaging said wiper with said plate, repeating the cycle of traverse,lifting and lowering movements of said 'wiper a predetermined number oftimes, and then stopping the movement of said wiper.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a shaft supported in saidframe and extending in the direction of the plate traversing movement ofsaid wiper and an arm extendingfrom said shaft and supporting saidwiper.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a prime mover andconnections therefrom for translating said shaft in the direction of itslength.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for rotating saidshaft to lift said wiper to clear said plate and the material thereonnear the end of the movement of said wiper in either direction.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said shaft rotating meanscomprises a cam plate moved by said prime mover in synchronism with thetranslational movement of said shaft and said wiper, cams on said camplate, and a cam follower mounted on said shaft and extending into thepath of movement of said cams.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a con trol cam on said camplate and means activated by said control cam for disabling said wipermoving means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a second control cam onsaid cam plate and means activated by said second control cam forcontrolling said material delivery means.

8. Apparatus for moving and distributing a pulverulent explosivematerial comprising in combination a supporting frame; an endlessconveyor chain mounted on said frame; a carrier mounted on said conveyorchain and adapted to receive a container of said material; reversiblemotor driving means for said chain by which said carrier may be causedto perform a reciprocating movement from a material receiving positionto a material delivery position; manually actuable control means forinitiating operation of said driving means to transport said carrieraway from material receiving position; cam means mounted on said frameand engageable with elements of said carrier as the carrier isreciprocated by the conveyor chain to invert the carrier to empty saidcontainer and to restore said carrier to upright position; limit switchmeans on said frame engaged by elements movable with said conveyor chainto reverse said conveyor after the carrier has reached its materialdelivering position and to stop said conveyor after the carrier hasreturned to material receiving position; a plate supported in said frameat said material delivery position and formed to define in its surface aplurality of charge forming apertures; a wiper adapted to distributesaid material into said apertures and to wipe off the excess of saidmaterial flush with the face of said plate; means on said frame tosupport said wiper in operative relation to the surface of said plateand to cause it to perform a cycle of plate traversing movement; motordriving means for said wiper; and switch means for said wiper drivingmotor inter locked with the switch means for said conveyor motor toprevent movement of one driving means while the other is operating.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS235,699 Osgood Dec. 21, 1880 284,874 Marsters Sept. 11, 1883 506,425Elliott Oct. 10, 1893 1,556,023 Peterson Oct. 6, 1925 2,626,094McClelland Jan. 20, 1953 2,642,212 Currivan June 16, 1953 2,660,914Johnson Dec. 1, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 546,691 Great Britain July 27, 1942

